In a recent poll I ran on instagram, 50% of you said you started out in your career because of the money…
But is it really ok to do it just for the money?
The year was 2004 and I had not long opened my first real estate agency.
During that time I had joined the local Sunrise Rotary Group and was in full networking mode with fellow business owners and members of the local community.
I was invited to coffee by a young lady from the group who was running her own small business. We instantly clicked as she was the only other twenty-something year old female business owner in our club, and I knew that like me, she was hungry to build her network and connect with like-minded women in business.
We were few and far between in those days.
When we met for our first coffee date, one of the very first things she asked me was why I decided to open a real estate agency when the local town already had so many.
Surprise surprise - there really was a real estate office on just about every corner of the main street!
“I can offer something different”, I instantly replied - deep down knowing this was BS - but it sounded good in the moment.
Our slogan at the time was “a fresh approach to real estate”, born from a belief that we (my fiancé at the time and I) were young, fresh and energetic people who were prepared to offer something unique. What that was, I didn’t exactly know, but I did know that we were prepared to do everything we could to find out so that we could win business and make money.
In other words, our marketing tag line really was rooted in - lets start a real estate business with a goal to make as much money as we can, and we will be who we need to be to make that happen.
I do it for the money.
Please don’t judge me.
As our coffee date moved to a close, I ended our conversation by coming clean and telling my new found friend that I really only was in it for the money.
“Real estate can be a bitch of a job, but it pays well.”
She seemed shocked to hear these words leave my mouth and I walked away thinking that maybe we weren’t as aligned as I had hoped. Or maybe I should have shut my mouth and not been so honest and upfront on our first date.
I think she was hoping to hear a more compelling or perhaps “socially appropriate” reason why I had gone into business for myself.
Something like, “I really love people and want to help them”.
Yeah, that sounds nice but truthfully for me it just wasn’t the case. It still isn’t the reason I do what I do, twenty years down the track.
Most people drive me nuts but I’ve managed to find a certain niche that serves my Why and attracts the right kind of clients who I genuinely enjoy helping.
For me, it’s about working with the right clients - my kind of people who I know I can help, but who also wholeheartedly value my input and experience.
It’s not that I dislike people.
I just choose to work with those who are the right fit because that serves the foundation for a career that ticks both the fulfilment and money boxes. Plus, the thrill of the deal keeps me in the real estate game. I love negotiating. I’m good at it, and the nurturer in me wants to protect those who place their trust in me… aka my clients.
The Key Question - WHY?
Over the years and throughout my business networking escapades I've encountered numerous conversations where the topic of “why do you do what you do” becomes the central focus.
Different business owners have varying reasons for why they chose a certain field of work, or why they decided to open their business. What ultimately matters is Why you do it.
But why not normalise the honesty in “I do it for the money”?
After all, 50% of you started out that way.
It’s perfectly okay to admit to yourself and to others that you’re in it for the cash. People refrain because they think it makes them sound greedy or society will label them as money hungry, or in my industry - you’re seen as having “commission breath”.
Money makes the world go round but lets all pretend like we don’t want it.
Really?
Money is what sets us up financially; provides our kids with a better education; allows us to buy the things we desire and gives us the freedom to choose a certain kind of lifestyle.
Money gives us options and who wouldn’t want that?
I’m proud to admit my desire was always to be wealthy, and real estate has been the vehicle that has helped me achieve this goal.
What is our underpinning emotional need?
Just as 50% of you said you chose your career based on the financial benefits, the remaining 50% didn’t, and in truth, I don’t think anyone goes into business or pursues a career solely for monetary reasons.
There is usually something else sub-consciously driving the decision.
It could very well be a genuine desire to help people in need, a special interest in that particular field, or like me, a dream to become self-made and wealthy.
I believe this driver is rooted in your early upbringing and aligns with an unmet need you had or an early emotional experience that shaped your psyche.
For example, if you grew up in a poor household where your parents struggled to pay the bills and there was always arguments around money (or lack thereof), you might then make the sub-conscious decision that you want financial security in your adult life, and therefore you chase career opportunities that provide the money to satisfy this need.
I think it’s perfectly okay to admit that money is a driving factor but I find that it’s usually paired with an underlying emotional need -
To feel successful.
To feel needed.
To feel secure.
To prove you’re worthy.
And back to my instagram poll… 50% of you started out doing it for the money, but it’s no longer the reason you continue to do what you do.
I guess that emotional need is kicking in.
What is your driver? Leave it in the comments below:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wendy Russell writes about Property, Career and Success. She is a self-made woman and Independent Buyer’s Advocate based in Brisbane Australia, representing busy professionals in luxury home purchases.
